At the beginning of this stage of La Littorale cycle route, do take the time to explore the nooks and crannies of the charming port of Étel. The old boat cemetery is particularly striking, reflecting the end of the times of fishing by sailing boat. Relive the days of Étel fishermen going out to catch tuna by visiting the Musée des Thoniers. Next, you cycle into the Parc Naturel Régional du Golfe du Morbihan. A stop at the enchanting port of Saint-Goustan is a must. Its very steep lanes are lined with half-timbered houses and you can cycle around its quays, admiring the extremely picturesque scenes, with plenty of café terraces at which to pause. Saint-Goustan forms part of the historic municipality of Auray, designated a Ville d’Art et d’Histoire for its rich heritage.

The best way of exploring the great enclosed bay of the Golfe du Morbihan (Little Sea in Breton) is by bike. You start by negotiating the enchanting waterside village of Le Bono, with its old suspension bridge and old oyster-farming areas. Close by, the neolithic burial mound, the Tumulus de Kernours, takes you back 5,000 years! Riding on in the direction of Vannes, stop at the Pointe d'Arradon, a headland boasting fabulous views of the little islands dotted around the Golfe du Morbihan, and with places at which to savour local oysters. You finish this stage by arriving at the Port de Vannes, just beyond the old city walls. It makes for a lovely ride, going from the marina into the historic town centre.

Leaving Vannes to head for the Presqu’île de Rhuys (a wide peninsula closing off the southeastern side of the massive enclosed bay of the Golfe du Morbihan), la Littorale cycle route guides you across the Marais de Lasné, marshlands that have been designated an ornithological reserve, a perfect place to stop and observe the local wildlife. After Rhuys, our cycle route leads you on via Saint-Armel, Surzur, Ambon and Muzillac. You ride along either quiet roads with little motorized traffic or then rural tracks providing views of the hedge-divided fields of the Bocage Morbihannais. Before reaching the Marais d'Ambon (further marshlands), the cycle route runs along a former railway line (used by the Compagnie des Chemins de fer du Morbihan from 1903 to 1948) now converted into a greenway.

Riding off from Muzillac, you head for the town of Billiers, dominated by its curious steeple that doubles as a lighthouse. Next, La Littorale cycle route guides you along the banks of the Vilaine Estuary, via roads full of slopes; the reward for your physical exertions are some wonderful views down on the river. You also ride through traditional villages offering wonderful displays of typical rural Breton architecture. Reaching the Barrage d'Arzal, you can admire up close the technical prowess of this engineering structure, the largest estuary dam in Europe.

La Littorale cycle route leads you gently down to the Barrage d’Arzal; crossing the Vilaine River via this dam is one of the most memorable highlights on this stage. Along the next stretch, you’ll have to adjust your gears frequently to tackle the slopes along the Vilaine Valley, but with fine glimpses to be had of the river as you negotiate a mix of minor roads and more rough-surfaced tracks. The little port of Trehiguier offers an uplifting place to pause, contemplating the Vilaine’s estuary, but looking from its south side to the north side that you departed from in the morning.
In fine weather, the Pénestin Headland offers a splendid, dreamy end to your cycling trip, with views out to sea of the little islands of Houat and Hoëdic, and maybe even Belle-Île-en-Mer…